Fellow Educators, Last spring over fifty individuals from
around the province gathered at the 2009 NLEE Workshop: “Creating
Community: Be a Part – Make it Yours!” We came together to
share our enthusiasm for environmental education. We were teachers,
interpreters, youth leaders, government employees, environmental and
non-government organization employees, volunteers, and anyone who had
a passion for sharing the magic of natural world with others. It was spectacular. A room full
of people who felt a common goal: to explore, teach, learn about and
protect our environment. Each of us had come from a variety of
sectors, doing work for our different organizations; and there, in Traytown,
we found a new sense of community. Many of us who teach stewardship, sustainability
and appreciation for nature often find ourselves alone, where other
members of our organizations have a completely different focus.
But there in Traytown is when Newfoundland and Labrador Environmental
Educators (NLEE) was brought to life. This was the beginning of
a network of individuals who were lacking a community of others to talk
to about their work and passion. Now we had a community. Today we welcome those of you who were
with us in Traytown and those of you who are new and excited to start
connecting with others who understand your passion! NLEE is about community and connections.
It is an organization that looks to draw like-minded people together
where there was gap before. We, all of us here, have ideas, resources,
concerns and needs around how we make environmental education fun, accessible
and real for our audience. Who better to help find us solutions
than others doing the same types of work? NLEE is about creating the opportunity
for environmental educators in Newfoundland and Labrador to come together
share successes and fill gaps in public education and outreach.
Why design a new program when a great one already exists? Why
focus on a subject that has been covered over and over again?
Why not discover the themes that are not already being shared with the
public and put out time and energy into these? NLEE is about supporting educators in
their personal growth and becoming a voice for environmental educators
in the public eye. This is our passion, but it is sometimes hard
to be the lone voice in the woods. Let’s come together, help
each other become even better so we can help our communities become
champions for this beautiful world we all share. We are all doing important work!
The NLEE board of directors has been thrilled to lay down much of the
ground work that would formalize out new organization, now we need to
find out what we need to do to help each other. This community that
is forming through events like this around the province is a support
network. We all have something to share, and we are looking forward
to giving you the opportunity to do just that! By being here tonight you are a part
of this new and exciting community. There are so many ways you
can get involved! NLEE is forming committees and special topics
group that will need members; NLEE Connections events are happening
around the province, be there and share encourage other to join you;
contribute to the online wiki with links or information about your environmental
education work; become a member of NLEE and be a part of this movement
to bring the importance of environmental education to the fore front! Thank you for coming out to our NLEE
Connections event tonight. Talk, share and connect! Then, when
you go back to your office or group or your own community garden, think
about all of the other environmental educators in our province who are
supporting you and believe in what you are doing - let that be an inspiration
and keep up the great work! Sincerely Newfoundland and Labrador Environmental Educators Board of Directors Executive Margaret McKeon Denise Hennebury Justin Dearing Chair Vice-Chair Treasurer Kristen Mellis Jill Pitcher Secretary Communications |